Multipurpose electrical connector for use with ac and/or dc receptacles



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 e a f a Kw f R g 5 R N N \2 QQL f \Q\& a a NW7 WM.N\-MW Q QMV'WMJ u m m I m g II 4. lwl1NU-Wy z! 1 /7 x R kr. w M J. Q HUM. wm 15 M15 w a 2,11 A/ N x w N Q a N E 9% g Q Q H. D. 'TWITCHELL, JRMULTIPURPOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR USE July 2, 1968 WITH AC AND/OR DCRECEPTACLES Filed April 25. 1966 y 1968 H. D. TWITCHELL, JR 3,391,262

MULTIPURPOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR USE WITH AC AND/OR DC RECEPTACLESFiled April 25, 1966 2 Sheets$heet 2 [if 49 /4a #8 22a, 98b 16% I a400.. 68b b g7 52 INVENTOR United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE There is disclosed a multipurpose electrical connector whichincludes at least two connector units that may be releasably joinedtogether. One of the units includes means for switching between thecontacts carried thereby. The second unit includes contacts aligned withthe contacts of the first unit and further includes means for operatingthe switching means of the first unit. Upon joining the connector unitsthe switching means is operated according to the needs of the givenapplication causing at least two contacts to be electrically joinedthrough the composite connector structure.

This invention relates to multipurpose connectors, and more particularlyto an improved type of adaptable connector including diiferent forms ofconnector contacts in a construction which facilitates the choice of theparticular form of contacts used according to the needs of a givenapplication.

Several typcs of adaptable connectors have been proposed. For the mostpart these connectors make use of a modifiable plug. For example, in oneapproach, a plug having a pair of extended electrical contact prongs,such as are used for connection with alternating current (AC) outletfittings, is modified by the insertion of the plug into a separatecylindrically shaped unit. This separate unit has at one end AC outletfittings (i.e., prong receptacle contacts) into which the prongs of theplug are inserted. At the other end of the unit is a centrally affixedcontact which is internally connected to one of the outlet fittings. Thecylindrical surface of the unit is made of metal and serves as a secondcontact which is connected to the other outlet fitting. Thus, byinserting the prongs of the plug into the separate unit, the connectorconverts from a type having one form of electrical contacts (prongcontacts) to a type having a different form of electrical contacts(cylindrical and center contacts).

A second previously proposed type of adaptable connector is one in whichthe AC prongs are, in first position, recessed within a cylindricalshaped member. The cylindrical member has atone end a centrally affixedcontact. The surface of the cylindrical member closest to this centercontact is made of metal and forms a second electrical contact.Surrounding the cylindrical member is a second outer, hollow,cylindrically shaped member made of an insulating material. This outercylindrical member is atlixed to the prongs by means of a rod whichpasses through a slot in the first cylindrical member. The prongs arebrought to a second (exposed) position by sliding the outer cylindricalmember axially forward. The prongs move out through slots to extendbeyond the centrally affixed contact at the one end of the connector. Inthis second position the outer insulating member covers the contactportion of the first cylindrical member. Internal connections areprovided so that electrical contact is made between the prongs and thecenter and cylindrical contacts and external wires.

Connectors which can be adapted in the above ways have several commondisadvantages. A separate step must be taken before the connector isaltered from one form of electrical contacts to another form. Thepresence of live electrical contacts places the user in danger ofreceiving a severe electrical shock. Exposed live tacts are subject toshort circuiting with a possible detrimental effect on the device towhich the connector is attached. The contacts, although applicable tovarious sockets, are suitable to only one type of voltage source. Forexample, a connector which may be used with an AC source of voltage maynot otherwise be employed for use with a direct current (DC) source ofvoltage unless circuit alterations are made within the device to whichthe connector is attached.

g It is an object of this invention to provide an improved connector ofa construction which permits a single connector to be adapted to varioustypes of electrical contact fittings.

It is another object to provide an improved multipurpose connector whichis more readily manufactured and more versatile in use than connectorsheretofore proposed.

It is a further object to provide an improved connector of the typewhich can be adapted for use with various sources of voltage.

Still another object is to provide ,an improved connector structure forswitching electrical contacts by the act of. releasably joiningconnector units.

A multipurpose connector is provided which includes at least twoconnector units that can be releasably joined together. One of theconnector units includes means for switching between contacts carriedthereby. The second connector unit includes contacts aligned with thecontacts in the first connector unit and also includes means foroperating the switching means in the first connector unit. Upon joiningthe connector units, the switching means is operated according to theneeds of the given application causing at least two contacts to beelectrically joined through the composite connector structure.

The present invention will be understood from the following detaileddescription when read in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a multipurposeconnector constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the elements of the connector shownin FIG. 1 not necessarily to scale looking in the direction of the arrowA.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the socket member of the connectorassembly shown in FIG. 1 and taken along the line 3-3 of the end view ofthe socket shown in FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the socket shown in FIG. 1;

and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the connector shownin FIG. 1 and constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, an embodiment of the invention can be seenin FIGS. 1 through 4. The multipurpose connector indicated generally bythe reference numeral 10 comprises a plug 12 and a socket 14. In FIGS.1and 2 the socket 14 is illustrate-d twice in order to show itsfunctional arrangement with respect to the plug 12.

The plug 12 comprises two members 16 and 18, connected by a cable 20therebetween. Members 16 and 18 have the same over-all physical shape.Since the construction of the members 16 and 18 is similar in manyrespects, the following discussion where applicable is directed to bothmembers 16 and 18. Each is constructed of three cylindrically shapedparts 22, 24 and 26 axially affixed to one another. The three cyindricalparts 22, 24 and 26 can be made of. an insulating material such as COH-v 3 plastic or Bakelite. The first cylindrical part 22 has aplanar endsurface 28 and a smaller diameter than the second cylindrical part 24.The second cylindrical part 24 has a larger diameter than 'the thirdpart 26 and an exposed planar end surface 30 where it abuts the firstpart 22.

Enclosed within the second cylindrical part 24 is a rectangular shapedslot 32. In length, the slot 32 extends from just before the end surface30 parallel along the axis of the second member 24 to a point somewhatremoved from the end of the second part 24 which abuts the third part-26. The slot 32 extends laterally to just beneath the cylindricalsurface 34 of the second member 24. The dimensions of length and widthform two parallel walls 36 and 38. The dimensions of depth and width ofthe slot 32 for-m two opposed lateral walls 40 and 42. A rect-angularlyshaped channel 46 is formed Within the second cylindrical part 24 andforms an aperture, through the second cylindrical part 24, which opensinto the slot 32. The channel 46 extends axially from the end surface 30a short distance along part of the length of the slot 32. While only onechannel 46 in the respective members 16 and 18 is visible in the view ofFIG. 1, a second similar channel, not shown, is positioned in eachmember 16 and 18 diametrically opposite the respective channels 46shown. A rectangularly shaped wiper arm 48 is positioned within the slot32. The wiper arm 48 lies parallel to the walls 36 and 38 and is thinenough so that it can extend easily into the channel 46. A helicalspring 52 is aflixed to a lateral wall 42 and an edge of the wiper arm48 by soldering or similar means. The spring 52 is alfixed to thelateral wall 42 nearest the third part 26 and holds an edge surface ofthe wiper arm 48 against the lateral wall 40 closest to the first part22 of the plug 12.

Looking for the moment only at the member 16, columnar paths or channels54 extend from apertures 44 in the walls 36 and 38 to apertures 56 inthe end surface 28 of the cylindrical part 22 and to an aperture 57 inthe end surface 58 of the cylindrical part 26. Similar channels areprovided in the member 18. Afiixed over the apertures 44 in the walls 36and 38 of the slot 32 in both members 16 and 18 are frusto-conicalshaped electrical cont-acts which can be of an electrically conductivematerial such as copper. There can be, for example, four such equallyspaced contact-s 62, 64, 66 and 68 in each wall 36 and 38; that is tosay, for each contact 62, 64, 66 and 68 on the wall 36 there is amatching contact on the opposite wall 38. Each contact 62, 64, 66 and 68is afiixed by suitable means over an aperture 44. A pair of holes 50 areprovided in each wiper arm 48. Two pairs of frusto-conical shapedelectrical contacts 70 are positioned on the wiper arm 48. The contactsof each pair of contacts 70 are positioned on opposite sides of thewiper .arm 48 and are electrically connected together, for example, by awire 72 of copper or similar material which passes through a hole 50 inthe wiper arm 48. One pair of contacts 70 on the wiper arm 48 arepositioned to bring into electrical contact the first contacts 62affixed to the walls 36 and 38 and the second pair of contacts 70 arepositioned to bring into electrical contact the third cont-acts 66, whenthe spring 52 is extended and the wiper arm 48 is in a first position.When the spring 52 is compressed and the wiper arm is in a secondposition, one pair of contacts 70 on the wiper arm 48 are positioned tobring into electrical contact the sec-' ond contacts 64 and the secondpair of contacts 70 are positioned to bring into electrical contact thefourth con-- tacts 68. The cable 20 connects the two members 16 and 18of the plug 12. This cable 20 comprises four wires 74, 76, 78 and 80,which are placed within columnar paths 54 of the plug 12. The four wires74, 76, 78 and 80 are connected at one end thereof (in numerical order)to the four electrical contacts 62, 64, 66 and 68 on the Wall 38 in themember 16. The other ends of the wires 74, 76,

. 4 78 and 80 are connected in reverse numerical order to the fourelectrical contacts 62, 64, 66 and 68 of the wall 38 of the member 18.

Spaced electrical contact prongs 82 and 84, which can be made of a rigidelectrically conductive material such as steel or brass, are insertedthrough the appropriately spaced aperture 56 in the end surface 28 ofthe cylindrical part 22 of the member 16. The prongs 82 and 84 are ofsuch size and shape as to conform to use with AC receptacles. The firstprong 82 is in contact by a suitable conductor through a channel 54 withthe first and second electrical contacts 62 and 64 on the wall 36 of themember 16. The second prong 84 is electrically joined by a suitableconductor through a channel 54 to the third and fourth electricalcontacts 66 and 68 on the wall 36 of the member 16. Electrical contactcan be made, for example, by copper wires 86 which are soldered to theprongs and electrical contacts.

Turning now to the member 18 of the plug 12, a disk shaped electricalcontact 88 has a peripheral flange 90 extending outwardly in onedirection. About an aperture 92 in the center of the disk 88 is .aflange 94 which extends on the side of the disk 88 in a directionopposite from that of the peripheral flange 90. The disk contact 88 isin this manner mounted against the flat end surface 28 of the firstcylindrical part 22 of the member 18. The center flange 94 extendsthrough a centrally placed aperture 95 in the end surface 28 of thefirst part 22 of the member 18.

A semiconductor diode 98 rests within an appropriately shaped cavity 100in the first part 22 of the member 18. The anode lead 102 extends alonga columnar path 54 through the aperture 95 in the first part 22 and theaperture 92 in the disk contact 88. The cathode lead 104 of the diode 98is atlixed to the first electrical contact 62 on the wall 36 of member18. Electrical connection is made between the disk contact 88 and theelectrical contact 64 on the wall 36 by means of a conductor 86. Boththe conductor 86 and the anode lead 102 may be affixed to the diskcontact 88 by soldering or other means.

A collar 106 having a laterally extending lip 108 is placed about thefirst cylindrical part 22 of the member 18. Tabs 10 extend from thecollar 106. The lateral lip 108 covers a substantial part of the endsurface 30. Electrical contact is made between the lip 108 of the collarcontact 106 and the third and fourth electrical contacts 66 and 68 onthe wall 36 of the slot 32 in member 18 by means of a conductor 107.

The plug 12 can be constructed, for example, by first forming or moldingmembers 16 and 18 into two halves and inserting the various wires andcontacts. This method of construction is commonly employed in themanufacture of standard AC plugs. The two halves of each member 16 and18 can be held together by a collar 114 of a rigid material such asmetal placed about the cylindrical periphery of the third part 26. Inaddition, a screw 116 with mating nut or rivet (not shown) can furtherretain the two halves of the first member 16. In the same way the collarcontact 106 can retain together the halves of the second member 18.

The socket 14 of the connector assembly as shown in FIG. 1 is cup-shapedwith a cylindrical outer surface 118 and a cavity 120. In order to avoidconfusion in the showing of FIG. 2, the socket will be described inconnection with FIGS. 3 and 4. The cavity 120 of the socket 14 has twocylindrically shaped parts or sections 122 and 124 axially arranged. Thefirst section 122 extends to a lateral planar base 126 of the cavity120. The second section 124 of the cavity 120 abuts the first section122 and extends therefrom to form the opening .of the socket 14. Thesecond section 124 has a larger diameter than the first section 122. Alaterally extending planar surface 128 is formed Where the first section122 abuts the second section 124. Extending upwardly along thecylindrical wall of the second section 124 are two diametrically 0pposedfinger-like projections 130. The fingers 130 can be, for example,rectangular in shape and extend a part of the way up the second section124 toward the opening in the cavity 120. The fingers 130 can be ofditterent sizes to key the connecting plug '12. The two fingers 130 aswell as the remainder of the socket 14 can be formed of an insulativematerial such as molded plastic or Bakelite. Columnar shaped channels orpaths 132 extend from apertures 134 in the base 126 to apertures 136 inthe exterior bottom or base 138 of the cup shaped socket 14. Inaddition, a columnar channel 132 extends from the bottom 138 to anaperture 140 in the surface 128.

A disk shaped contact 142, made of an electrically conductive materialsuch as copper, has a peripheral flange 144 extending outwardly, and apair of apertures 146 so shaped and positioned as to be suitable toadmit from without contact spaced AC prongs. The disk c0ntact 142 isafiixed by suitable means to the base 126 with its flange 144 extendingtoward the cavity opening. The apertures 146 in the disk contact 142 areregistered with the two apertures 134 in the base 126.

A collar 148 of an electrically conductive material such as copper has alaterally extending lip 150. The

collar 148 has a circumference of suitable diameter to a form a forcefit against the wallof the first section 122. The lip 150 covers thesurface 128 between the two sections 122 and 124 of the cavity 120. Tabs152 extend outwardly from the collar 148 into the cavity 120.

Two U-shaped prong receiving contacts 154 are placed within two spacedcolumnar paths 132. Each of the two columnar paths 132 has an aperture134 in the base 126. The apertures 146 in the disk contact 142 areregistered with these apertures 134. The U-shaped contacts 154, whichcan be made of copper or other electrically conductive material, arespaced below the apertures 134 so as to avoid electrical contact withthe disk 142. Electrical connection can be made from the socket 14 toexterior equipment (not shown) by extending wires 156 through theapertures 136 in the bottom 138 of the socket 14 through the respectivecolumnar paths 132 and a'flixing them by soldering or other means to theprong contacts 154 and to the contacts 148 and 142.

The plug '12 and socket 14 are made to'releasably connect. The firstcylindrical part 22 of the plug 12 fits into the first section 122 ofthe socket 14. The tabs 152 of the socket contact collar 148 serve as aresilient means for holding the plug 12 in place and contact the collar106. The second part 124 of the socket 14 is so dimensoined as'to easilyadmit the second part 24 of the plug 12. The fingers 130 are sodimensioned and positioned as to fit into the channels 46 moving thearmature 48 and, at the same time, keying the plug 12 into the properposition. The outwardly extending flange 144 of the disk contact 142 ofthe socket 14is so dimensioned as to releasably secure the peripheralflange 90 of the disk contact 88 of the plug 12.

The operation of the connector assembly 10 can be best understood byreference to FIG. 2. When the plug 12 is not connected, the wiper arms48 are so positioned that the electrical prongs 82 and 84 of the firstmember 16 are not in electrical contact with the collar contact 106 anddisk contact 88 of the second member 18. The contacts 70 on therespective wiper arms 48 engage contacts 62 and 66. Upon the insertionof the second member 18 into the socket 14, as shown in FIG. 2, thefinger 130, shown in FIG. 3, passes into the channel 46 and the armature48 is moved backward toward the lateral wall 42 nearest the third part26. When the armature 48 is pushed to this position, contacts 68 on thewalls 36 and 38 are electrically joined via contacts 70. In the same waythe second contacts 64 are placed in electrical contact via contacts 70.The disk shaped contact 88 and the collar contact 106 of the secondmember 18 are respectfully in electrical contact with the disk contact1.42 and collar contact 148 of the socket 14. An electrically conductive6 path begins with the wire 156 affixed to the collar contact 148 withinthe socket 14 to the fourth contact 68 on the wall 36 of the slot 32 ofthe second member 18. The

conductive path continues through the contacts 70 on the wiper arm 48 tothe fourth contact 68 on the wall 38, then via the first wire 74 of thecable 20 to the first contact 62 of the first member 16. From the firstcontact 62 on the wall 38 in the member 16, the path continues throughthe contacts 70 on the wiper arm 48 to the first contact 62 on the wall36 of the member 16 to the first prong 82. A second electricallyconductive path is established from a wire 156 aflixed to the diskcontact 142 in the socket 14 to the disk contact 88 on the second member18. The path continues from the disk contact 88 to the second contact 64on the wall 36 of member 18 through the contacts 70 on the wiper arm 48to the sec ond contact 64 on the Wall 38 of member 18 and from thereover the third wire 78 in the cable 20 to the first member 16 and itsthird contact 66 on the wall 38 of the member 16. Electrical contact ismade from the third contact 66 on the wall 38 via contacts 70 to thesecond electrical prong 84. The member 16 of the plug 12 can now beconnected in a socket suitably arranged to receive the prongs 82 and 84(i.e., an outlet).

If the first member 16 is inserted in the connector socket 14 (asindicated in phantom in FIG. 2), contact is established between the diskcontact 142 and collar contact 148 of the second member 18 and U-shapedprong contacts 154 of the socket 14. The second member 18 is suitablyconstructed for inserting into a DC outlet as may be found, for example,in an automobile (i.e. cigarette lighters). If desired, the collarcontact 106 may be threaded for inserting in a socket of the type usedfor insertion of light bulbs. The diode 98, which can be employed sothat the connector may be either AC or DC voltages, is so positioned asto prevent the flow of current through the plug 12 in the directionwhich might injure the equipment for which the connector, assembly 10 isto be used. This might occur if, for example, the second member 18 wasaccidentally plugged into either a DC socket having the wrong polarityor an AC outlet.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 in which the cable 20 betweenthe members 16 and 18 is eliminated. The plug 12 shown in FIG. 5 issimilar to the plug 12 shown in FIG. 1. The similarities are indicatedin the drawing by the use of similar reference characters to indicatesimilar parts. Parts corresponding to similar parts included in member16 of FIG. 2 are given the subscript a, while parts corresponding toparts in member 18 of FIG. 2 are given the subscript b.

v The plug 12 in FIG. 5 resembles the plug 12 in FIG. 1 in the followingway. The plug 12 has a first cylindrical part 22a axially aflixed to asecond cylindrical part 24. In combination, these two parts 22a and 24structurally resemble the first member 16 shown in FIG. 1.

Extending out of a lateral planar and 28a of the first part 22a are twoprongs 82a and 84a. Axially afiixed to the other end of the second part24 is a third cylindrical part 22b. The combination of the second andthird part 24 and 22b structurally resembles the second member 18. Thethird part 22b has affixed to it a collar 106b and disk contact 88b. Arectangular slot 32 is located within the second part 24. Fourelectrical contacts 62a, 64a, 66a and 68a are arranged along a wall 36a(numbered in ascending order from a lateral wall 40a adjacent to thefirst part 22a). In the same way, four electrical contacts 62b, 64b,

66b and 68b are arranged on the wall 36b and aligned with thefirst-mentioned set of contacts (numbered in ascending order from theopposite lateral wall 40b adjacent to the third part 22b). A wiper arm48 is placed in the slot 32 and contacts 70 are placed thereon. Thecontacts 70 are so arranged as to register with the aligned contacts(62a, b; 64a, b; 66a, b; 68a, b) so that in one position 62a and 68b aswell as 66a and 64b are electrically connected.

- In a second position electrical contact is formed from 64a to 66b andfrom 68a to 62b. The contact (62a, b; 640, b; 66a, b; 68a, b) diode 98b(internal to the third part 22b) and external contacts (82a, 84a, 88band 196b) are connected in the same manner as shown in the plug 12 ofFIG. 1. The wiper arm 48a has edge portions accessible through therectangular channels 46a. Helical springs 52a, b are atfixed between thelateral wall 46a, b and opposite edges of the wiper arm 48a.

When the plug 12 is not inserted in a socket 14, the springs 52a, b holdarmature contacts 70 away from the slot contacts (62a, 68b; 64a, 66b;66a, 64b; 68a, 62b). In this position the prongs (82, 84), collar 106and disk contacts 83 are open. Inserting either end of the plug 12 intothe socket 14 causes the wiper arm 48a to be moved. The resultingjoining of aligned contacts (62a, 68b; 64a, 66b; 66a, 64b; 68a, 6211)via the contacts 70 causes each exterior contact (820, 84a, 88b, 106b)to be joined in the manner as set forth in the description of theoperation of the connector assembly 10 of FIG. 1.

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose electrical connector assembly for use with AC and/r DCreceptacles, comprising (a) a first sub-assembly having first and secondforms of electrical contacts which form an integral part thereof,

said first form of contacts comprising at least two protruding prongs,and

said second form of contacts comprising a disktype contact assembly;

(b) a second sub-assembly formed with an orifice adapted to releasablyreceive said first and second forms of electrical contacts;

(c) first and second switching means included Within said firstsub-assembly, said switching means including means for normallyproviding an electrical discontinuity between said first and secondforms of electrical contacts, and means for providing electricalcontinuity between said first and second forms of contacts;

(d) first and second switch operating means included within said firstsub-assembly for operating said first and second switching meansrespectively, one of said switch operating means becoming operable whensaid first form of electrical contacts is inserted into the orifice ofsaid second sub-assembly to provide an electrical continuity to saidsecond form, and the other of said switch operating means becomingoperable when said second form of electrical contacts is inserted intosaid orifice to provide electrical continuity to said first form,

whereby an electrical discontinuity is maintained be tween said firstand second forms of contacts until one of said forms is connected tosaid second sub-assembly.

2. A connector assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising,

a unidirectional current conducting device included within said firstsub-assembly, said device disposed between said first and second formsof electrical contacts.

3. A connector assembly, comprising,

.a socket having a cylindrically shaped cavity and a pair ofrectangularly shaped fingers diametrically opposed and extending axiallyalong a portion of the inner walls of the cavity,

a cylindrically shaped plug having an enclosed rectangular slot shapedchamber and a pair of rectangular shaped channel-like apertures openinginto said chamber, said channels being diametrically opposed, said plugbeing insertable into said socket with said fingers fitting easily intosaid channels,

a switch within said plug, comprising a rectangularly shaped wiper armwithin said chamber, a portion of said wiper arm extending into saidchannels, said wiper arm positioned to move axially within said plug andparallel to opposite Walls of said chamber,

a plurality of electrical contacts affixed at regular intervals to saidopposite walls of said chamber, each of said chamber contacts on one ofsaid walls being aligned with one of said chamber contacts on saidopposite wall,

a plurality of electrical contacts affixed at regular intervals toopposite sides of said wipcr arm, each of said wiper arm contacts on oneside of said wiper arm being aligned with one of said wiper arm contactson said opposite side of said wiper arm,

a pair of helical springs each having one end afiixed to an edge of saidarmature and the other end affixed to a wall of said chamber holdingsaid wiper arm resiliently in a first position and permitting said wiperarm to move axially, said wiper arm contacts being located so that whensaid wiper arm is held in said first position by said springs said wiperarm contacts and said chamber contacts are spaced apart,

means for electrically connecting each pair of said aligned wiper armcontacts,

a pair of prong contacts afiixed to and extending axially out from oneend of said plug,

a center disk contact afiixed to and extending from the other end ofsaid plug,

a cylindrical collar contact placed about and affixed to a cylindricalsurface of said plug close to said end having said disk contact,

means for electrically connecting one of said prongs to a first and :asecond successive chamber contact on one of said walls, said other prongto a third and a fourth successsive chamber contact on said one wall,said collar contact to a first and a second successive chamber contacton said opposite wall, and said disk contact to a third successivechamber contact on said opposite wall,

a diode having one terminal connected to a fourth successive chambercontact on said opposite wall and a second terminal connected to saiddisk contact,

a disk contact affixed to the base of said cavity of said socket and acylindrical collar contact affixed to said wall of said socket with saidsocket disk contact and said socket collar contact being adapted toengage said plug disk contact and said plug collar contact respectivelyupon the insertion of said other end of said plug into said socket, theinsertion of said other end of said plug into said socket causing saidfingers to move into said channels and move said wiper arm against saidsprings to a second position at which said wiper arm contactselectrically connect said first chamber contacts to one another and saidthird chamber contacts to one another, and

a pair of prong receptacle contacts in said base of said socketinsulated from said socket disk contact adapted to receive said prongsof said plug, the insertion of said one end of said plug into saidsocket causing said fingers to' move into said channels and move saidwiper arm against said springs to a third position at which said wiperarm contacts electrically connect said second chamber contacts to oneanother and said fourth chamber contacts to one another.

4. A connector assembly, comprising,

a socket having a cylindrically shaped cavity and a pair ofrectangularly shaped fingers diametrically opposed and extending axiallyalong a portion of the inner walls of said cavity,

a plug including a first and a second cylindrically shaped member, eachof said cylindrically shaped members having an enclosed rectangularslot-shaped chamber and a pair of rectangularly shaped channel-likeopenings into said chamber, said channels being diametrically opposed,said members each being insertable into said socket with said fingers ofsaid socket fitting into said channels,

a cable comprised of four wires,

a switching means within each of said first and second members of saidplug including a rectangularly shaped wiper arm within said chamber, aportion of said wiper arm extending into said channels, said wiper armbeing positioned to move axially within said plug,

a plurality of electrical contacts afiixed successively at regularintervals to opposite first and second walls of said chamber, each ofsaid chamber contacts on said first wall being aligned with but spacedfrom one of said chamber contacts on said second wall,

a plurality of electrical contacts affixed successively at regularintervals on opposite sides of said wiper arm, each of said wiper armcontacts on one side of said wiper arm being aligned with one of saidwiper arm contacts on said opposite side of said wiper arm,

a helical spring having one end affixed to an edge of said wiper arm andthe other end aflixed to a wall of said chamber, said spring holdingsaid wiper arm resiliently in a first position and permitting said wiperarm to move axially,

means for electrically connecting each pair of aligned wiper armcontacts,

a pair of prong contacts extending from and afiixed to one end of saidfirst member,

means within said first member for electrically connecting one of saidprongs to first and second successive ones of said chamber contacts andsaid other prong to the third and fourth successive chamber contactsafiixed to said first wall,

a center disk contact afiixed to one end of said second member,

a cylindrical collar contact afiixed about the cylindrical surface ofsaid second member close to said end having said disk contact aflixedthereto,

a diode within said second member having one terminal affixed to saidfirst successive chamber contact on said second wall in said secondmember and a second terminal affixed to said disk contact,

means within said second member for electrically connecting said diskcontact to the second successive chamber contact and said collar contactto the third and fourth successive chamber contacts on said second wallin said second member,

means connecting first, second, third and fourth wires of said cablerespectively to first, second, third and fourth chamber contacts on saidsecond wall of said first member,

means connecting said first, second, third and fourth wires of saidcable respectively to said fourth, third, second and first successivechamber contacts on said first wall of said second member,

said wiper arm contacts being arranged to contact said chamber contactsso that when said wiper arms in said first and second members are heldin said first position said first chamber contacts in said first memberare electrically connected together, said third chamber contacts in saidfirst member are electrically connected together, said first chambercontacts in said second member are connected together, and said thirdchamber contacts in said second member are electrically connectedtogether,

a disk contact atfixed to the base of said cavity of said socket and acylindrical collar contact affixed to said wall of said socket with saidsocket disk contact and said socket collar contact being adapted toengage said plug disk contact and said plug collar contact,respectively, upon the insertion of said one end of said second memberinto said socket, the insertion of said one end of said second memberinto said socket causing said fingers to move into said channels in saidsecond member and move said wiper arm in said second member to a secondposition at which said wiper arm contacts electrically connect saidsecond chamber contacts in said second member to one another and saidfourth chamber contacts in said second member to one another, and

a pair of prong receptacle contacts in said base of said socketinsulated from said socket disk contact adapted to receive said prongcontacts on said one end of said first member, the insertion of said oneend of said first member into said socket causing said fingers to moveinto said channels in said first member and move said wiper arm in saidfirst member to a second position at which said wiper arm contactselectrically connect said second chamber contacts in said first memberto one another and said fourth chamber contacts in said first member toone another.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1908 Klein 200-51 4/1940 Amet339-28 10/ 1961 Emmons 320-2 5/1925 Pellegren 339-168 8/1931 Osgian200-16 1/ 1940 10/ 1953 12/ 1957 Satinolf 200-51 Berticcvich 200-51 2/1963 Hartwig.

8/1965 Pecoroni et a1 339-154 FOREIGN PATENTS 720,594 12/ 1931 France.

Riggs 200-51 55 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

D. SMITH, Assistant Examiner,

